Consumer Law in New Jersey

Do you need a consumer law attorney in New Jersey to fight for your rights and bring fraudsters to justice? We can match you with the right lawyer to help you reclaim your rights.

Common Types of Consumer Fraud in New Jersey

Consumer fraud primarily refers to deceptive practices that can cause customers in New Jersey to suffer financial, physical, or emotional injury. Fraudulent practices can also occur at the individual level, such as when someone falls victim to lottery scams. Consumer law refers to the regulations that define unlawful actions and how consumers can seek justice.

Sometimes, becoming a victim of consumer fraud in New Jersey can also lead to criminal charges against you. For instance, it can be strenuous to clear your name after you donate to a charitable organization involved with money laundering.

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs publishes an Anti-Fraud Toolkit to help people spot and avoid financial scams. The kit is geared toward senior citizens, who are by far the most common targets and victims. The most successful scams play on your emotions to keep you off guard. Scammers might try to scare you by pretending to be with a government agency. They may even threaten to arrest you if you do not comply. Another tactic is to promise rewards like a lottery prize or an investment opportunity. The scammer gets you excited about their offer, then demands a processing fee or your bank account information.

Many people are embarrassed about falling for a scam, and they suffer in silence. But, speaking up can help to bring the persons responsible to justice. Even when it does not, it helps spread awareness and stop other consumers from falling victim to the same fate.

What Types of Fraud are in Consumer Law?

If you suffered damages because of consumer fraud in New Jersey, you might be able to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties. Taking a closer look at the most common types of consumer fraud found under consumer law can help you determine if you have a legitimate claim.

Identity Theft

This type of consumer fraud happens when a nefarious New Jersey company or individual steals your personal information. They might steal your bank account information, Social Security number, full name, or credit card numbers. One of the most common identity theft methods is data mining.

Once an individual has your personal information, they can open credit cards or make fraudulent charges on existing ones. Some thieves will even open utility accounts in your name as a way to prove residency. After they can accomplish this task, they have even more options to apply for loans or credit cards. Sometimes identity thieves gain access to your bank account and drain all the funds that you have available. There are also reports of scams that access health insurance and place medical charges on the victim’s insurance. Proving that you are a victim of identity theft can be very complicated. Consequently, hiring a dedicated and experienced New Jersey consumer law fraud lawyer is essential to proving your innocence.

Fake Organizations

Fake charities are difficult to spot because they use similar techniques that legitimate ones rely on to raise funds. That’s why it’s important for you to understand where your money is going before you decide to donate to an organization. The same is true when investing or purchasing goods and services.

You can identify if any New Jersey organization is legitimate if they have registration in the state. Or, the IRS should verify their non-profit status. But, scammers can legitimately register an organization for illegal purposes. Take the time to research how your money gets used before investing in a business or donating to charity.

Under New Jersey law, most charities and all professional fundraisers must register with the state. Before you donate, you can check a charity’s status in the state directory. In addition, provisions of New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act apply to the solicitation of charitable donations. In fact, the New Jersey Attorney General recently shut down a massive New Jersey-based fundraising scam. The fraudulent organization stole millions of dollars from donors across the country.

When it comes to products and services, looking up customer reviews can help. The more reviews a product or service has, the more likely it is a legitimate organization. However, people can buy these illegally. In fact, anyone can build a website or register an empty LLC in New Jersey.

Defective Products and Services

Legitimate New Jersey companies often create defective products and services. Some common issues are:

• Products that do not work as intended
• Products that have harmful design flaws
• Medications that do not mention all side effects
• Services that do not deliver on promises

Even when this is not intentional, consumers might become entitled to compensation for the damages caused. This circumstance is why we often hear of car manufacturers issuing recalls and repairs when they realize something has gone wrong.

Under the New Jersey Product Liability Act, there is only one cause of action for injuries due to a defective product. Unlike in many states, plaintiffs do not have the option to use typical common law doctrines, such as negligence. Instead, all New Jersey product liability claims rely on a strict liability standard. The plaintiff must show that the product was not safe for its intended purpose. The basis for this claim must be either a manufacturing defect, a design defect, or inadequate warnings or instructions.

New Jersey Consumer Protection Laws and How Consumer Law Works

The Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 is arguably the most important consumer protection law in the United States. It establishes the Federal Trade Commission to protect consumers from deceptive business practices. It does this not just for individual cases, but also to target monopolies.

The FTC’s work includes conducting investigations, collecting complaints, and filing lawsuits. In addition, other federal laws protect public consumers against deceptive transactions. These include the agriculture, real estate, food, and beverage industries. New Jersey consumer laws also put measures in place to police false advertising and illegal debt collection practices.

Work With an Experienced New Jersey Consumer Law Attorney

Working with a consumer fraud attorney in New Jersey can help you understand your rights. The appropriate professional from our network of legal experts will help you understand the FTC guidelines. They will help you discover what types of complaints you can make against the organization that has committed fraud against you.

A qualified New Jersey consumer fraud attorney will also guide you through working with law enforcement. The goal is to bring the fraudulent business practices against other customers and yourself to light. Get help and file a claim against the entity that committed consumer fraud against you. We can even help you connect with an attorney across New Jersey state lines.

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